Vanuatu
Where can I find information about Vanuatu?
(Years 5-8)
Image: Taka Village Kastom Welcome Vanuatu by Sarah Macmillan on Wikimedia Commons. Image cropped.
Entry last updated: 11/07/25
Introduction
Vanuatu is a country that is made up of over 80 islands in the South Pacific. The capital city is Port Vila on Éfaté island. Other populated islands are Espíritu Santo, Pentecost, and Tanna. Vanuatu became a country when it gained independence from France and Britain in 1980. Before Vanuatu became independent, it was known as the New Hebrides. It is only a 4 hour flight from New Zealand and is quickly becoming a popular tourist destination.
General websites
There are some excellent websites to look for facts and information about the history, people and geography of Vanuatu.
This website comes from the Vanuatu Government. It has some quick facts about Vanuatu and information about their history.
Go to the About tab.
Choose About Vanuatu.
Tips: Some websites have .au, .nz, .uk or other codes in their URL. This can tell you which country this website comes from eg .vu is from Vanuatu. It also has .gov in the address which means it's a government website.
This site is part of the Pacific Virtual Museum pilot project funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Australia and put together by the National Library of New Zealand and the National Library of Australia.
Look down the page to Explore locations.
Choose Vanuatu.
You can use Filter by and Media Type to only look at images, objects, videos, or audio.
Tips: Websites that have .org or .net in the address can have good information, but you need to assess how reliable it is. Check the About us link on the website, if you can find one. That can tell you what the organisation’s mission and values are.
This is one of the EPIC resources. EPIC is a collection of reliable databases covering lots of different topics. It’s put together especially for New Zealand school students and helps to answer questions like this.
Choose the Primary level and put in your keyword 'Vanuatu' to bring up a list of results.
The entry Vanuatu (island country in the Pacific Ocean) provides an excellent overview of life in Vanuatu.
Tips: To get to the EPIC resources you will need a password from your school librarian first. Or you can chat with one of our AnyQuestions librarians between 1 and 6 pm Monday to Friday and they will help you online. Some EPIC databases may also be available through your public library.
This site will help provide an overview of the Ni-Vanuatan culture.
Entering 'Vanuatu' in the search box brings up a list of results including information about some of the individual islands.
Culture of Vanuatu includes details of food in Vanuatu and also social structure.
New Zealand sites
New Zealand has a good, long-standing relationship with Vanuatu. The following website has information about our connection to Vanuatu.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade | Manatū Aorere
This site will help with understanding about New Zealand's relationship with the Pacific Islands, including Vanuatu.
Select Countries & regions | Whenua, rohe.
Choose Australia and Pacific.
Go to Vanuatu on the country listing below the map to find more information.
Tips: We like sites that are from government or other reputable organisations, because we can trust the information. You can sometimes tell these sites by their web address – they might have .gov or .edu in their address – or by looking at their About us or Contact pages.
Funded by NZ On Air, thecoconet.tv has lots of cultural information, songs, recipes, stories, news, and videos.
Use the keyword 'Vanuatu' to search the site.
Choose something to read or watch eg Island Eating: Vanuatu Food or How to speak Bislama.
Books
These books will give you more information about Vanuatu, its people, and the culture of the islands:
Vanuatu: the Happiest Place on Earth by Rob Tucker.
The Walking Tree by Jill McGregor.
Vanuatu & New Caledonia by Paul Harding.
SCIS no. 1905047
